The story is described by the producing company Rifco as:

Half brown, half white, half a century old and half a Shirley Bassey tribute act – it’s no wonder Sonia’s mid-life crisis is one to sing about! With her overbearing mother’s memory still haunting her with songs and sequins, it’s time for Sonia to dance to her own rhythm.

When the half-brother she never knew she had turns up out of the blue, Sonia launches into a journey of discovery, music and family as she enters her second act channelling her inner Shirley Bassey and Bhangra tunes.

Glitterball tells Sonia’s story with live music, cross-cultural comedy and a whole lotta a sparkle.

More Bassey than Bhangra…

Where this really soared was that it has been produced with such great attention to detail. Firstly, Yasmin Wilde’s performance as Sonia is ground-breaking. For me, there’s never been such representation on stage but one that’s nuanced, and echoes one’s real-life experience. She takes on the role with the conviction you’d expect. At times, I am really sucked into the action and her reality as someone who has found out who her half-brother is.

The writing for this piece is actually some of the best lines I’ve *ever* seen performed. From the “rap” Sonia’s daughter (played fantastically by Nikhita Lesler on her debut) as well as clever word-play on the Muslim half-brother’s name… I was simply giggling from start to finish. The supporting actresses are Sonia’s mother (played effortlessly by Janice Connolly) and Debs (played by Victoria John) who both provide comedic relief, and whose timing is always right in the more serious part.

All in all, this is a suitably wonderful piece of work that the entire team – directed by Pravesh Kumar – need to be proud of. The inclusion of ‘Chaap Tilak’ was just the icing on the cake (though I’d perhaps have used the Abida Parveen edition) Do not miss this as it tours London and Oldham following the first venue where I watched it.

Listings information

Watford Palace Theatre, 20 Clarendon Road, Watford, WD17 1JZ
Thu 15 – Sat 24 Sept
Eves 7.30pm, Wed & Sat mat 2.30pm
Tickets from £17, concessions available
watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk | 01923 225671

Riverside Studios (Hammersmith, London), 101 Queen Caroline St, London W6 9BN
Tue 27 Sept – Sat 08 Oct
Eves 7.30pm, Thu, Sat & Sun mat 3.30pm
Tickets £25, concessions available
riversidestudios.co.uk |  020 8237 1000

Oldham Coliseum Theatre, Fairbottom St, Oldham OL1 3SW
Tue 11  – Sat 15 Oct (on sale 21 June)
Eves 7.30pm, Wed & Sat mat 2.30pm
Tickets from £18.50, concessions available
colliseum.org.uk | 0161 624 2829

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